Follower structure for record-receptacles.



1 S. T. WALTON.

POLLOWEB. STRUCTURE FOR RECORD BECEPTAGLES.

APPLIOATiQN FILED JULY 29 1910.

990,319. Patented Apr. 25,1911.

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' s. T. WALTON. FOLLOWBR STRUCTURE FOR RECORD REGBPTAGLE S. AlgPLIOATION FILED JULY 29, 1910.

990,3 1 9.: Patented Apr. 25, 1911.

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STTES TENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL T. WALTON, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE UNIT STEEL CABINET COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

FOLLOWER STRUCTURE FOR RECORD-RECEPTACLES.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL T. lVALToN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Follower Structures for Record-Receptacles, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in filing devices, such as card or document filing cabinets, and has particular relation to the follower used in such devices and the manner in which the follower is mounted therein.

Among the objects of the invention are to be found the following :(1) To provide a record receptacle and the follower with com plemental means operative in advance of the follower for normally retaining the follower against a tilting movement, the follower having means coacting with the receptacle for positioning the follower in relatively secured or relatively free position in the receptacle. (2) To provide a record receptacle with a longitudinally extending head on each of its opposite sides, and a follower having means for clamping the beads to retain the follower against movement longitndinally of the receptacle, said follower also having means for preventing the tilting movement of the follower while within the receptacle and in position to be engaged or secured against movement. a collapsible follower with means for engaging complemental portions of a record receptacle when the follower is not collapsed, the collapsing of the follower withdrawing the means out of engageable position to per mit removal of the follower from the receptacle in a direction other than one extending longitudinally of the receptacle. To provide a two-part follower with the parts in permanent engagement and movable laterally, a mechanism carried by one of said part-s and cooperating with the other part for retaining the follower in one position, and a device having members carried by each of said parts and permanently connected for engaging complemental parts of the record receptacle to secure the follower in position within the receptacle. (5) To provide a follower with forwardly extending wings located at the opposite side edges of the follower and adapted to cooperate with complemental portions of a record re- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 29, 1910.

(3) To provide Serial No. 574,588.

ceptacle to normally prevent tilting of the follower.

Other and further objects of the invention are to provide a device of this type which is neat and attractive in appearance, efficient in operation, durable in construction and which can be manufactured at a relatively low cost.

To these and other ends, the nature of which 'will be readily understood as my invention is hereinafter disclosed, said invention consists in the improved construction and arrangement of parts, hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the annexed claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which similar reference characters indicate similar parts in each of the views,Figure 1 is a perspective view of a drawer of a filing cabinet, showing my improved follower positioned therein. Fig. 2 is a cross section of the drawer taken on a line in advance of the follower, the latter being shown in front elevation. Fig. 3 is a cross-section of the drawer taken on a line in rear of the follower, and showing the follower in rear elevation, and as clamped to the drawer. Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, with the clamping means moved to inoperative position. Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line of Fig. 3, the follower being shown as collapsed. F 6 is a perspective view of the follower.

In record receptacles, such for instance as card indexes, document files, etc., it is the practice to provide some form of structure by means of which the follower, while capable of being moved longitudinally of the receptacle or be secured in a fixed position therein, is normally held against removal from the receptacle, either by the use of a locking rod passing through the follower and which must be removed before the follower may be removed, or the provision of complemental means on the receptacle and follower which will act to retain the follower against removal but free to move longitudinally, as desired. The present invention relates to the latter type of structures.

In the drawings, the invention is shown as applied to the drawer of a document file or card index file, dependent upon the use to which it is applied, it being understood that the particular type of receptacle to be em- Patented Apr. 25, 1911. I

ployed is immaterial, excepting that it be provided with marginal portions which project inwardly. The drawer is indicated in the drawings at 10 and, in the exemplificat-ion shown, is of that type of receptacles formed of steel, it being obvious, however, that the invention is equally applicable for use in connection with drawers of other material, so long as such drawers have the particular features now to be referred to.

The drawer is shown as provided with an integral bottom and sides 11 and 12 respectively, the point .of juncture of the bottom lland the sides '12 being so formed asto provide a groove 13 extending longitudinally of the drawer as shown in Figs. 2 to 5 inclusive, said groove forming a guide way presently referred to. The upper edges of the sides 12 are formed with an inturned bead lttO provide an overhanging portion or flange with respecttothe inner face of the side walls.

The follower, designated as 20, is preferably formed of two members 21 and 22,

each ofa widthless than the width-of the drawer between the side walls, sa d members 21 and22 being secured 1n facial contact by means of securingdevices such as rivets 23 extending through slots 24. the rivets being carried by one member, the slots be ing formed in the other member, the structurebeing such as to provide for a relative movement of one member to the other in the plane of the faces of the members, the

length of movement being controlled'by the length of the slots 24, the direction of length of the slotsbeing preferably in parallelism with the'plane-Jof the bottom 11 of the receptacle. Extending forwardly from the outer side edge of each member 21 and 22, is a wing 25, having a height approximately the same as the distance between the bead 14: and bottom12, said wing extending forwardly a suitable distance and normally positioned below the overhanging portion provided by the bead 1 1. The lower edge of the wing 25 is formed with an outwardly extending portion or flange 26, which portion is adapted to'be seated in the groove 18, when the follower is in its properposition within the receptacle, said wings and their flanged portions, serving as holding or positioning structures which act to substantially prevent tilting of the follower.

It will be understood, of course, that while I prefer to make the wingsof a height substantially equal to the distance between the bead and the bottom 11, this structure is not absolutely essential, since the flanged portions 26 will serve efliciently to prevent such tilting of the follower and provide the necessary cooperative action in clamping the follower in position.

The members 21 and 22 are normally held in their expanded or extended position by .nection with means of a plate 27, )ivotally mounted on the forward member 22, said plate serving the function of a. locking element to prevent collapsing of the follower unintentionally, said element forming an abutment against a movement of the members one relatively to the other in a direction to contract the width of the follower, the movement of the element to the opposite extreme permitting of such collapsing of the follower. Each of the members 21 and 22, is also provided along its lower edge, with a rearwardly extending flange 28, as best shown in Fig. 6.

As it will be readily understood, the

flanged portions 26 are mounted within the grooves13 in suchmanner as to permit of a free movement of the follower longitudinally of the receptacle as isusual in confollowers when free from clamping engagement with the receptacle. To retain the follower inany position to which it may beadjusted in such longitudinal movement, I provide two members 30 and 31, each mounted in a bracket 32 carried by each of the members. 21 and.22, said members being connected together at their inner ends by a pin and slot connection arranged in such manner as to permit a .movement of said members 30 and'31 on them pivots.

The outer ends of the members 30 and 31'are preferably formed with an upper face which will cooperate with the bead 14: to clamp the follower against such longitudinal movement, this clamping effect beingprovidedby a downward movement of the inner ends of the members or levers-'30 and 31, which vmovement serves to raise the outer end into contact with the beads .14. To providethis. movement of the members or levers 30. and 81, I secure a camlike member 35 at aproper position on one of the members whereby a rotation of the member 35 will act to apply downward pressure on the inner ends of the members or levers 30 and 31 with the result that the follower is clamped against the sides, and bottom of'the receptacle, the outer ends of the levers forming one clamping surface while the flanged port-ions 26 will serve as another clamping portion. If the cam 35 be moved in the opposite direction, the pressure will be released, the'fric-tional engagement broken, and the follower free to move longitudinally of the receptacle. This adjustable clamping effect is possible only when the two members are in expanded or extended. condition, viz.,when the locking element 27 is in looking position as-shown in Fig. .3. While this locking element is in this position, the only movement which the follower isicapa-ble of'having is longitudinally of the receptacle; under such conditions the follower could only be removed by a movement through the rear end of the re ceptacle. To permit removal of the follower without difficulty of sliding longitudinally of the receptacle, it is necessary only to release the pressure of the cam member 35 and then move the locking element on its pivot out of locking position, whereupon the members 21 and 22 may be moved to contract the width of the follower (the various pin and slot connections permitting of this movement), and thereby remove the wings 25 from beneath the over-hanging portions provided by the beads 14, and at the same time remove the flanged portions 26 from the grooves 13, leaving the follower free to be lifted out of the receptacle, it being understood, of course, that there is no inwardly extending portion at the bottom of the members 21 and 22 and their wings forwardly of such members, so that there are no obstruct-ions to a free movement of the follower vertically even though the follower be in contact with the rear of the contents of the receptacle.

This particular structure and arrangement of parts provides a device which is especially applicable to record receptacles of considerable width, the ease with which the follower may be collapsed intentionally, and the rigidity of the follower when the locking element 27 is in position, rendering the follower especially applicable for this class of device. Furthermore, by reason of the presence of the forwardly extending wings 25, the follower is braced both by the side walls of the receptacle, and the edges of the contents against a bulging of the follower to an extent which would affect the operation of the follower, thereby permitting of the use of relatively light material for the follower construction, the rearwardly extending flanges 28 aiding in preventing this bulging effect.

Other advantages will be readily apparent, and it will be understood that the structure is one which is exceedingly simple and efficient in operation, requires but little or no modification of the receptacle itself, is durable in construction, of but few parts, and which can be made at a relative low cost of manufacture.

lVhile I have herein shown and described one form in which the invention may be provided, it will be readily understood that changes and modifications thereof may be made to suit varying conditions, and I therefore reserve the right to make any and all such modifications therein as may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the accompanying claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is:

1. The combination of a record-receptacle having a groove extending longitudinally of each side wall, and a follower having outwardly extending flanges positionable within the grooves, said flanges being located in advance of the face of the follower against which the contents of the re ceptacle abut, said flanges projecting forwardly at the sides of the record-receiving space.

2. The combination of a record-rece iitacle having a groove and an overhanging portion extending longitudinally of each side wall, and a follower having forwardly extending wings, each provided with an outwardly extending flange, said wings being positionable beneath the overhanging portions with the flanges located within the grooves.

3. The combination of a record-receptacle having a groove and an overhanging portion extending longitudinally of each side wall, the grooves being located at the juncture of the side wall and bottom, the overhanging portion being positioned above and spaced from said grooves, and a follower having forwardly extending wings each provided with an outwardly extending flange positioned at the bottom of the wings, said wings being positionable beneath the overhanging portions with the flanges located within the grooves.

4. The combination with a record-receptacle, of a follower, said receptacle and follower having complemental means to provide a clamping of the follower to the receptacle at will, said follower comprising permanently connected members movable laterally of the receptacle between a position where clamping may be effected and a position where the follower is free to be lifted outof the receptacle.

5. The combination with a record-receptacle, of a follower, said receptacle and follower having complemental means to provide a clamping of the follower to the receptacle at will, said follower comprising permanently connected members movable laterally of the receptacle between a position where clamping may be efi'ected and a position where the follower is free to be lifted out of the receptacle, and a locking element for retaining the members in clamping position.

6. The combination with a record-receptacle, of a follower, said receptacle and follower having complemental means to provide a clamping of the follower to the receptacle at will, said follower comprising permanently connected members movable laterally of the receptacle between a position where clamping may be effected, and a position where the follower is free to be lifted out of the receptacle, and a pivotally mounted locking element carried by one member and adapted to form an abutment to prevent lateral movement of the members, said locking element retaining the members in clamping position.

7. In combination, a record-receptacle having spaced apart clamping surfaces, and

a follower having means cooperating with I nently connected members having a relasaid clamping surfaces to clamp the follower at will, said means comprising levers movable into engagement with one set of damp ing surfaces of the receptacle, and permanently positioned elements located in advance of the levers and cooperating with the other clamping surfaces of the receptacle.

8. A follower comprising two permanently connected members having a rela tive movement in a straight line direction, each member having a forwardly extending wing, means to limit the movements of the members in such straight line direction, and a locking element carried by one member and adapted to cooperate with the other member to retain the members in one posi tion against such movement.

9. A follower comprising two permative movement in a straight line direction, each member having a forwardly extending wing, means to limit the movements of the members in such straight line direction, and a locking element carried byone member and adapted to cooperate with the other member to retain the members in one position against such movement, said members also having levers adjustable with respect to length and adapted to form clamping means cooperating with a record-receptacle for positioning the follower therein.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

SAMUEL T. VALTON. Witnesses:

GUSTAV ADOLF BINDER, J AOOB ROTTACH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

